Happy Day :)

We had a BIG day today... Chloe was dedicated this morning at church. The service was very nice. We came home and celebrated Father's Day, Chloe's Dedication and 1st Birthday with our family and closest friends. It was an AWESOME day. We are SO blessed. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so special. We love you all!!!

Swings... and more...

surprise #1...

Claudia woke up super excited this morning... it was her morning to pull the 1st surprise from the jar. The anticipation of what was in store for the day was exhilarating. We shook it up and out she pulled... "swing on a swing set" :) After our lazy morning we packed up and headed to Wendt Park to enjoy the "castle" and swings. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then we just played. It was so much fun and yes there are pictures to go with all the fun, but I haven't had time to upload, so you'll have to wait.

It was so fun to just be a kid again... swinging, doing the "zip line", and watching Chloe explore just like her big sisters just made my day. Claudia was so proud that she was finally able to "fall" on her own from the zip line. Constance loved the slides... oh those smiles... they were precious.

After a few hours of playing it was time to hit the dreaded Walmart. I have to say it's not that bad being able to shop early in the day... it definitely wasn't as busy... thank goodness :) We always end up spending way more time than planned, not to mention way more money than expected too.

Once our excursion was finished we headed over to visit my cousin Kylie & Tony. They were in town visiting. We hadn't seen them since their wedding in October, so it was nice catching up with them.

The munchkins are all snuggled in bed, well, almost... Constance is sitting in the hallway refusing to go to bed... stinker. She's had warnings, so now I just sit here ignoring her. I know she'll go to bed, it's just easier than fighting with her... she'll give in... I hope... LOL!!! I'm off to rap up my evening with some sewing therapy... oh how I love listening to the growling of my machine (yes, my machine is OLD and no longer purrs, but growls... LOL)... night :)

the jar...

Yup... it's ready to go, nothing fancy, just a jar full of summer time fun. This afternoon the girls and I sat down and made our list of things to put in our jar... they had some great ideas...

~ play dress up
~ ride bikes
~ ride a carousel
~ play games
~ wash the van (by hand)
~ play at the beach
~ build a sandcastle
~ go to a new park
~ play baseball at a "real" field
~ have a picnic
~ swing on a swing set
~ play on school playground
~ walk to Captain Sundae
~ build puzzles
~ paint each others nails
~ have a camp out in our front yard
~ have an arts & crafts day
~ build a zoo together with stuffed animals
~ play in the rain
~ invite a friend over to play
~ make cookies & take them to someone in need
~ make cards & take them to a nursing home
~ plant flowers
~ play in the sprinklers

SO fun!!! I can't wait... Claudia's cutting them up as I type and we start TOMORROW!!!! Oh yeah, and you know we will definitely have pictures to go with our fun. Bring on the summer fun!!!

In honor of Claudia's accomplishments...

yeah, can't believe my 1st born is going to "officially" be a 1st grader in a matter of hours... **wiping tears**. I am SO proud of her. I think one of the most amazing accomplishments for her is her reading ability. She can pick up anything and read it... it's amazing. However, that also brings us to a new chapter in our lives... grocery shopping with a reader. So the other day her and I were able to spend some time together, just the 2 of us. Well... we finished our day of fun and made our way to Walmart. Not thinking about "my reader", I turn down the feminine hygiene aisle... yup, you guessed it, the next thing I hear...

"playtex tampons... mom, what are playtex tampons?"

Yup... that was a fun conversation. Thankfully I was able to just blow it off as something really big girls need. I threw the box in the cart and just kept shopping. I'm so not ready to have that "real" conversation yet.

Super Summer Surprises...

Okay, so I'll be the 1st to admit, I spend WAY TOO much time online. It's just so fun and addicting, not to mention easy for me play on while pictures upload, and I have been uploading pictures A LOT the last few weeks. So anyway... I follow this really cute blog (one of the 50+ I stalk... hehehe) by a friend that I met while out to dinner with some other friends... http://www.jodimichelle.com/. She posted about making a "Summer Jar" filled with fun things to do each day. It is so neat and inspiring to me that today's mission is to find a cute jar for me to use to store all my Super Summer Surprises. I'm also coming up with a list of things I would love to do this summer, most of them with my kids in tow. My goal is to pull from my jar at least 4 days a week... I can't wait and I'm sure my girls will be super excited too!!!

Well... it's almost the beloved naptime... so I'm off to rangle the troops into their desired sleeping areas and then it's time for me to find that "perfect" jar...

Well... it's official...

I am a SAHM!!!! For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about... I am now a Stay At Home Mom :) I am thrilled and honestly could just do cartwheels until the cows came home, but I'm trying my best to keep my excitement hidden as Jon has been working his tail off and I don't want to rub it in that I'm done and he still has to work like a mad man.

I know that I've been slacking on my blog, but man, that last month of school is brutal.

I want to warn you all to be prepared... I'm back and I'm ready to blog... so watch out!!!

Last night we attended Claudia's Celebration of Learning (aka- Kinder Graduation). It was so fun to see her with her friends and to hear such wonderful things about her from her teacher. Let's face it... we all know our kids are the best in the world, but it does feel darn good hearing it from someone else :)

Here's some pictures from the BIG event :)

Don't the little girls look thrilled... LOL!!!

Bring on the hardest, most rewarding job in the world... wooohoooo for being a mama!!!

tragedy...

no funny stories tonight (I know I said I would post some of our daily funnies) but right now my heart just aches for the family of Ivy Bodkins. I worked with her dad, "Mr. Brad", for years at Holland Public and my heart just aches for his family. How can someone be so cruel to murder someone. There are seriously sick, sick people in this world. To take a young, vibrant life... how and why does this happen??? It leaves you with a huge pit in your stomach... ugh... so so sad. It's a sad reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye. As I tucked my beautiful girls into bed tonight I made sure to give them each one extra kiss and said I love you, one extra time...

To my faithful friends and followers... thank you for being who you are... each and everyone of you is unique and holds a special place in my heart... love you all... ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

To the Bodkins' Family... you are all in my thoughts and prayers... RIP Ivy...

crazy busy...

this past week has been crazy busy, and I have some great stories to share from the week, but they will have to wait until tomorrow... sorry, but I'm beat and my bed is calling my name.

I did want to share my latest creation...

I'll be back tomorrow to share the weeks events and funnies :)

funny kid...

So last night Constance was being her normal "stinker" self. Her and Claudia are playing, getting rough (yes, even girls can play rough) when Constance decides to bite Claudia. Unfortunately it's not the 1st time, so I take Constance to the "naughty spot" in our house... here's how our conversation went...

me ~ "Constance, you have a choice, you can sit here to take your time out or go to your bedroom."

Constance ~ no answer, just a cute little smirk on her face...

me ~ "you have a choice, here or your room?"

Constance ~ still no answer, just that cute smirk again...

me ~ "I'm going to count to 3 and you need to make a choice, or I will make a choice for you. Here or your room?"

Constance ~ looks me straight in the eyes and says "NOTHING" and laughs.

Seriously, how does she know that nothing can be an answer to my question. I had all I could do to not laugh at her. She did end up doing the time out in the "naughty spot", but I definitely had a good laugh getting her there.

and it begins...

Tulip Time... yes, all you locals know just what I mean. Thankfully, for me, the tulips are nice and ready right now, so I dressed all 3 in their cute costumes and we headed downtown. Yes, I know I'm crazy and I'm sure people watching me thought I had lost my mind, but we did it and although they aren't my "best" pictures by any means, they are cute and I'm happy with them. It was the moment and all I can say is, I'M GLAD IT'S OVER!!!

Miss Chloe was not thrilled with her hat...

but was much better when it was off...

Just to prove it was not all fun and games...
Can you say DRAMA QUEEN!?!?!

weekends blahs...

It's been a few days... were you worried about me... LOL!!! We've been keeping busy. Friday was spent hanging out with my mom and the girls. We were finally able to "go out" with her since her surgery in February. She is making remarkable progress on her foot, and is loving being able to hobble around on her crutches again :)

Saturday the girls and I headed to Grand Rapids to pick up our tile for my bathroom shower. Used our TomTom for the 1st time (we'll 1st time to actually help me get some place, not just our own house... LOL) and get all the way to the place only to find that there just recently decided to not be open on Saturdays. I was NOT a happy camper, but the girls and I decided to not waste the day and hit the Children's Museum.

We actually bought a PALS Pass, so we'll be making many more trips there, but it was well worth the price. Plus we'll be able to get in to other places in GR, so that's an added bonus. The girls had a blast, and I have to say that I am quite proud that I conquered it all by myself :) Of course I had the camera with too, so technically I had 4 babies with me :)

Chloe is SO proud of her new talent...
she will be walking before I know it...

The girls had a blast fishing...
I guess they take after their dad...

Chloe LOVED the mirrors...

The big girls put on the cutest puppet show...
they are so darn cute...

yeah... I even had some fun :

crazy

yes, crazy. That's been my life this week. Work, photography and being a mommy it's been non-stop. My 4:30am wake up call this morning (thanks Chloe) doesn't help either. I'm exhausted, but no point in going back to bed for 15 minutes, might as well just get moving. Easier said than done. I did get to read for a bit, which was nice. I'm reading Jodi Picoult's House Rules and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend it!!!

Can I just toot my own horn for a minute too... I'm a darn good wife. Our house may not always be perfect and we may pick our clothes out of laundry baskets, but I get up with my hubby everyone morning, regardless of what time he has to be up (hence why I stayed up after my 4:30 wake up call). I set out his clothes for him, pack his lunch and make him breakfast every morning. Yes, some women may call me crazy, but I it's just what I do. I love that man with all my heart. Don't get me wrong... he has his moments, but so do I (especially those days when I've missed my "happy pill" for a few days... LOL).

Time to run and let the crazy's begin... on your mark, get set... GO!!!

oh how I love a good bargain...

During a quick trip to a local thrift store I happened to come across this awesome suitcase...

yes... I know it's hard to look past that cutie sitting in there, but oh how I just love my new pink suitcase. Can you believe I got it for $1.00!!! I can't wait to prop a newbie in it tomorrow.

Oh yeah... and that cutie in the case is almost 10 months old... can you believe it?!?! She had a well child appointment last Friday and is according to our doctor, "Perfect". It's always nice hearing great things about your kids. She is my itty bitty though... she weighed in at 17 lbs. 4 oz.... yes folks she is blessed with her daddy's Van Dyke jeans... lucky little fart.

go ahead and pass this one up...

today has just not been a good morning... I'm super crabby and just down right depressed today. Again I realized that I missed my "happy pill", and honestly I can't even remember when the last time I took it was... needless to say this morning I have crashed. Yes, this is not the 1st time, nor the 2nd... it happens. I get so busy and just forget to take them one day and then maybe 2 days, and the next thing I know I can't function. I don't do anything that is horrible, but I just can't function. I end up not wanting to leave the house, just wanting to cry the day away and what is really getting me today is being a bad mommy. I've yelled at the girls more than ever today... pick that up, stop fighting with each other, how many times do I have to tell you... you name it, I've said it this morning and it has me feeling a huge pit in my stomach. I really just want to curl up on the couch and cry the day away, but instead I have to pack everyone up and head to lunch at the in-laws. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful people and I know we are blessed beyond words to have them and for everything they do for us, but honestly I just don't want to go today...

I did take my happy pill after having my major meltdown, and I know that tomorrow will be a much better day... I'm not sure why I write this all down, other than to share that I am human... depression sucks... and it just felt right to get it all out... maybe by keeping track of my up's and down's better I can help me be a better person, especially a better mom... if you made it this far... big kuddos to you... sometimes life is tough... today is just one of those days...

why...

Sometimes you just can help but ask yourself why... I've asked myself why so many times... why did my mom get a rare disease? why did my dad get a brain tumor? why did my grandpa have to get cancer? why did my parent's divorce? So many questions, and yes, I do know the answer... it's all in God's plan, but dang it, sometimes you just can't help but want to scream from a mountain top "WHY GOD???? WHY?????"

This morning I find myself asking why is it that someone my age has to die. Someone so young and with so much to live for. My heart breaks for Nick's family this morning... especially his kids. They have had to watch their daddy change right before their eyes. As an adult I am able to "see" why, yet still question it all... but how in the world is a child supposed to see the real reason. I keep trying to think of what I would say to my girls if it was their daddy we had to let go of... I honestly can't find the right words, but instead am left with tears.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Schaap family today and the hard days, weeks, and months ahead. May God grant them the strength to find those words to help comfort Nick's children, family and dear friends. Life is truly to short... I'm definitely taking some extra time today to snuggle with my girls and to cuddle with Jon... you just never know when it can all change...

morning blah, blah, blahs...

so this morning I'm walking Claudia to the bus stop (SO thankful I don't work Fridays) as I love being able to actually play the stay home mom thing at least one day a week. On our way to the stop we have a little conversation...

me ~ "How are you doing babe?"
her ~ "Good. Mom, I'm not feeling so bad about Penny anymore... she was Constance's fish anyway."
me ~ "Well, that's good, I'm glad you're not feeling as sad this morning."
her ~ "Yeah, me too."

and then she wrapped her arms around me and hugged.

Ugh, she is just so darn cute!!!

well...

didn't win the lottery... no big surprise...

and had to bury Penny (the goldfish) tonight... this was a shock... sometimes being a mommy is hard. Tonight was one of those nights. Watching the tears flow from Claudia and having to say good-bye was not fun. Poor little girl is going to bed heartbroken.

What's up Wednesday...

seriously, there is never a dull moment. I love my life, but wow... I think I need a MMV, and no, it's not a STD... I need a "Mama Mental Vacation". I know it's a blessing that Jon has this new job and it has helped us immensely get "ahead" again and that is a wonderful feeling, but I really do miss my hubby, and so do the girls. I know we're still in the transition period, and I'm hoping it gets easier when I'm not working full time, but wow... it's busy. I have no clue how single parents do it... HUGE props to my single parent friends out there, you truly have my respect.

My once clean house, looks like a frat house after the bash of the century. Thankfully I'm not dealing with empty beer cans and bottles, but the toys... I'm seriously out of room and kind of have the "I don't care" attitude going on right now. I'm not sure where my kitchen counter went... but if anyone does happen to come across it, will you please send it back my way. My kitchen sink is empty, so that's a positive. We are all also wearing clean underwear, so that's also a good thing, but wow... right now I feel like things are just... I guess the word would be overwhelming.

Also experienced something new today... for the 1st time ever I sat in the dentist office and didn't have the nervous poops the 5 hours prior to the appointment... yes, I said it... nervous poops... you can laugh all you want, but I know I'm NOT alone. There are plenty nervous poopers out there, everyone's just to scared to talk about it... but like I tell my girls, "everyone poops"... okay sorry... got a little side tracked. So anyway... our dentist has been so busy and with my crazy life I couldn't get 2 appointments right together, so Claudia was the only one seen today, and it was lovely. Thank God the girl is like her daddy when it comes to the dentist... no nervous poops for him... LOL!!! The girl seriously LOVES the dentist. After she was all polished up and flossed, Constance HAD to take a turn and she too was thrilled. Maybe I'll get lucky and all 3 girls will love the dentist... life would be so much easier for them. Can you tell I HATE going to the dentist. I don't hate my dentist himself, he really is a nice guy. I just hate the things that take place at the dentist.

On a happy, poop-free note... my mom got her cast off today and is starting PT and can actually put a small amount of weight on her foot again. She was thrilled, and I don't blame her... she's been in that cast since the beginning of February... poor thing. I'm so happy for you mom!!! Can't wait to have my busy, on the go, mom back :)

Jon just handed me a POWER BALL ticket... he said he was feeling lucky... man, wouldn't that be awesome. I think he said the pot is like 170 million, or something like that... I can't even imagine. On that note... I'm ending my day... I think going to bed dreaming about 170 million sounds pretty happy... night all... blah, blah, blah...

well... that was fun...

kind of...

I'm being honest here... that's what this blog is all about, right?!?! Sat through a Positive Behavior Support for Young Children training... yes, I did get some good ideas for my kids at school as well as some ideas and things to use with my own kiddos, but it really bothers me that they had to print out the entire power point presentation for everyone at the training. Our school alone had almost 20 people and we were one of 5 schools. I mean seriously, I do know how to read (can you believe it) and I also know how to listen to someone read what each slide says, word for word. I guess I just see that as a waste of time and hello... could we try to be a little "green"?

I did however managed to put together "the to-do lists" for Chloe's dedication/1st birthday party and for our annual summer/friend party. This summer's party is called "Giddy Up". It's in honor of my little cowgirl herself... Constance :) She's going to be thrilled to wear a cowgirl hat all day. I'm even going to let her swim in it. Can't you just see 15+ kiddos with life jackets, swimming, all wearing cowgirl/cowboy hats... oh it's going to be SO cute :) So all in all I guess the day was productive. Now it's time to pick up the girls and play mommy for a while (best job in the world). Hopefully Jon gets out of work at a decent time so he can play daddy too... we shall see... blah, blah, blah...

Sunny Sunday...

it is so good to see the sun, even though it's blinding me as I sit on the couch this morning enjoying every second of laziness. I'm trying to be the best wife in the world today... did everything in my power to keep the girls quiet so daddy could sleep in. When 9am had hit I finally let them break free of the "silence"... 9:01 daddy was up :) Of course daddy wakes up and is pumped to watch hunting, it's like a drug for him I tell ya... at least it's legal... LOL!!!! So the girls beg, plead and whine to watch cartoons in the bedroom, yes... not only trying to be the best wife, but also the best mom, I packed up half the living room (can't watch tv without their toys... LOL) and got them all set up. Meanwhile, Chloe is hanging out in the living room. She is stuck in a "I want my mommy all the time phase", so we were both shocked when all of a sudden the living room went quiet. Jon and I both looked at each other and said... "oh my, where's Chloe? You mean she actually left my side?" I finally decide to be mom and check things out... I know you're dying to know where she went... well I get down the hall and there's Chloe... playing in Wayland's cage in our bedroom. Her front half was in and her back half out... if was the cutest thing. Unfortunately the massive giggle that I let out made her stop dead in her tracks and out she came... bummer too because that would have been a super cute picture. Oh well... I'll be better prepared next time and actually grab the camera before I go looking for her :)

On the flip side...

Life isn't always full of fun, joyful days... today I'm off to pay my respects to a family friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Bakker family as they lay to rest a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa and dear friend. Tomorrow I go to a visitation for a great friends sister who passed away much to early, after fighting a courageous battle of cancer. This weekend is going to be very difficult for so many friends and my heart aches for them all. Saying good-bye is never easy, no matter how old your loved one may be. It also brings back so many memories of my loved ones who have passed. I'm so thankful I have so many wonderful memories with my loved ones. Today I just can't help but think of my late grandpa... I'm so honored that he was able to meet Claudia, but wish everyday that he would have been around to meet my other 2 munchkins. I'm sure Constance would have made him smile and laugh. There are so many times that I look at her (and my other girls too) and I can just picture him sitting right there beside me smiling away at her. Oh how he would have loved them to pieces. As a child of God it is reassuring to know that even though he's not physically with me here on earth, I know he knows my girls and is getting a kick out of them up in heaven. Someday I know he and I will have a conversation about my girls, face to face... oh what a glorious day that will be. As I mourn with 2 wonderful families this weekend, I extend my deepest sympathy... and as I wipe the tears from my cheeks remembering my grandpa, I just thank God for those wonderful memories.

Happy Friday!!!

After an early morning wake up call, which was quickly followed by pitter patter from 3 little beauties I decided to just get my butt moving and not waste a second of the day. We packed up and went shopping for the day. We made a business stop at Love Inc., in Hudsonville... oh how I love browsing through their things looking for the one awesome photo prop. Too bad I came up empty handed today... well there was a chair that I LOVED, but thought Jon would kill me if I brought home another chair to be stored in our garage... LOL!!! From there our day consisted of shopping at Rivertown, lunch at Olive Garden, (oh how I love their soup and salad and that the girls can share a kids meal from there... I mean seriously, our bill was $12 and we all left stuffed), more shopping at the mall, 2 carousel rides, smoothies, elevator rides and finished the day off with dinner at Cracker Barrel. Of course we did a little shopping there too :) Oh yeah... and I even found a new store... Crazy 8!!! I had never heard of it, maybe I'm just way behind, but wow... love it!!! Check out this ADORABLE hat that Miss Chloe is going to be sporting this summer...
Of course I had to buy the matching bathing suit and flip flops too... I just couldn't resist :)

The ride home was great... all 3 girls out like lights... Claudia was even sawing logs... it was SO cute. I managed to listen to some mommy music on the way home... that was REALLY nice.

Oh how I just love being a mom... we had such a great day... nothing fancy... it was just perfect!!! I'm sad to see Spring Break end, but that does mean that we are just that much closer to Summer Vacation... 1 month, 4 weeks, 3 days... not that I'm counting down or anything :)

open 025.jpg, adjustment layers, levels, brightness/contrast, save as, close... repeat, repeat, repeat... that's what the day has consisted of for me... sounds like fun huh?!?! For me it actually is fun, I enjoy watching those pictures "pop", and really love it when they get burned on a CD and I am able to hand deliver them to clients. My CD burner has been down for quite some time (that is going to be my next purchase, unless the 85 mm that I'm drooling over calls my name louder... LOL!!!) Since I've been so productive today it looks like I'm going to be making a trip to mom's to burn some CD's.

Lunch was McDonalds... thank you Grandpa R. :)

I'm also trying to catch up on some trash TV... I used to LOVE watching General Hospital and still try to catch it when I can, but usually I miss it, but today I have time so today I'm trying to catch up. It's funny how you can miss it for weeks and you can pick up right where you left off. Oh Port Charles friends... oh how I've missed you.

Better go finish some more pictures... I just needed a break and felt like sharing some blah, blah, blahs...

Crazy fun...

that pretty much sums up the day. The big girls had a BLAST today, Constance actually just woke up from the ride home and in my opinion is ready to go back to bed... it won't be long and if the whining doesn't stop it will be sooner than later!!! Chloe is in a horrible phase right now... I love the little peanut, but this crying and screaming every time I walk out of view is getting old fast. I'm learning to tune it out, but poor Rachael and Stacy had to endure the "pain" all day... sorry girls. The final project turned out great... I'm so in love with it, I'm hoping to get the other 2 girls' done after all the munchkins are in bed tonight. I may be up until midnight sewing, but it will be quiet... wooohoooo!!!! Here's Constance's dress... I would have had her model it, but she isn't "runway" material right now...